STANDARDS IN FOCUS... A CLOSER LOOK AT CALIBRATION

STANDARDS IN FOCUS… A CLOSER LOOK AT CALIBRATION

Feb 18, 2018 Features / Columnists, Standards in Focus

In calibration, a comparison is made between a known measurement and the measurement of the instruments provided by clients or users. Through this process, the measurement of a user/client equipment is compared with the measurement of a second piece of equipment (the standard).
These standards, traceable to international standards, are kept in a well-controlled environment and are handled carefully to maintain accuracy.
The types of measurement standards vary from country to country depending on the needs of industry. The key objective of calibration is to ensure the accuracy and traceability of instruments are maintained across all companies, industries, sectors and countries.
It is common practice for manufacturers to determine their calibration needs based upon industry requirements, the frequency with which the instrument is used, and the specific application.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), as the National Measurement Institute and custodian of the National Standards, provides critical calibration services to industry.
Instruments submitted to the GNBS are subjected to a pre-calibration test to determine whether they are suitable for calibration. For example, with the calibration of an electronic balance, a weight is placed on the balance at the time of submission to determine whether any adjustment is needed before calibration. This test also helps to immediately detect any defects that instrument may have.
In general use, calibration is often regarded as including the process of adjusting the output or indication on a measurement instrument to agree with value of the applied standard, within a specified accuracy.
However, this is actually the combination of two separate processes: calibration and adjustment. It is important for users of measuring instruments to understand exactly which of these services they require. Calibration technicians must also understand the nature of the instruments they are calibrating and how to perform the calibration.
Calibration is very important. Over time, the results and the accuracy of measuring instruments tend to ‘drift’, particularly when using technologies or measuring parameters which can be affected by temperature and humidity. To be confident in the results of instruments, there is need to service and maintain them throughout their lifetime for reliable, accurate and repeatable measurements.
It must be re-emphasised that the goal of calibration is to minimise any measurement uncertainty by ensuring the accuracy of testing equipment. Calibration quantifies and controls errors or uncertainties within measurement processes to an acceptable level.
In some manufacturing processes, many parameters need to be controlled, including those related to mass, temperature, volume, and pressure. The use of calibrated instruments prior, during and after production allows consistency in products quality. Today, smart managers understand the implications of using inaccurate instruments to monitor critical parameters.
They calibrated their instruments regularly to prevent consequences that can result is the loss of time, money and capital.
Let the GNBS take care of your calibration needs. For further information, call us on telephone numbers: (592) 219-0069, (592) 219-0066 or visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org

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